CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
LOCAL NEWS
The new mouth of the Don River
Construction has almost finished on the new water course for the Don. The river bed has been dug and shaped. Plants are being placed along each side. The process is ready for water from the river. Waterfront Toronto has published an excellent video explaining how the water channel will be filled and the features that will help to protect the new areas from invasive marine life.
Cabbagetown Cycling Connections
The proposed bike lanes along Sumach and Sackville will involve arrows and lanes painted on the roads. This will happen at some time during August. The changes on Winchester west on Parliament and on Ontario will also be handled in August and there will be a one-night change in overnight parking. The Winchester wayfinding arrows east of Parliament will also happen in August. The work on these projects will take place between 9 pm and 6 am when traffic flows are lower. Notices with info about parking, traffic, cycling and City services during this work period are available online.
Duncan Fremlin’s road trip
Duncan and his pals in Whiskey Jack have been on a tear. They’ve just finished a lightning fast run from Sudbury, Elliot Lake, Thessalon, the Soo and Pancake Bay Provincial Park. At Pancake Bay, they played to a crowd of 200 campers. Then back to the Soo and on to Espanola. After a couple of days rest, they’re away again to concerts at Driftwood Provincial Park and Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park hear Mattawa. Duncan loves touring and singing - these trips are magic for him. On top of all of this, the band is about to release its tenth CD, “Do It Again”.
Ok - it’s official
City Council has approved the motion to allow alcohol consumption in City parks. But not all of them - only 27 are on the list. And it’s a test to run from August 2 to October 9. Corktown Common (155 Bayview) and Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview) are the boozy spots nearby. (Photo: Jeremy Gilbert, blogTO)
Taste of Regent Park
Artisans, crafts, food vendors, caterers and entertainers all come together in the Big Park (Sumach and Dundas) in Regent Park every Wednesday to early September. The marketplace starts at 5 pm and the community meal is served at 6 pm. Taste is followed by the regularly scheduled outdoor movies.
Needles in the park
Cathy noticed a needle on the grass in Riverdale Park West. She posted this story on Facebook. She picked it up but didn’t notice that it was bent. She cut herself. She immediately went to the Albany Medical Clinic (807 Broadview) and they told her that her quick action was very important. She’s getting a 28-day drug treatment to eliminate the risk of HIV. There’s no similar treatment for Hep C. She estimates that the cost of her treatment will be $1000.
OUR FARMERS’ MARKETS
The Great Mallard
Please join us at next Tuesday's Cabbagetown Farmers' Market. We’ll be showcasing our very special friends and hot sauce vendors Tijuana Tom’s. Thomas and Kendra, the founders of Tijuana Tom’s House of Hot Sauce, travelled for the better half of five years to over forty countries on four continents. They’ve brought those global flavours home in their artisan hot sauce. “Each sauce is a representation of our favourite places (that) we’ve either lived in or travelled to, from mild to hot we’ve got all your culinary necessities!”
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
Open from 3 to 7 pm every Tuesday in Riverdale Park West (Sumach and Winchester). Here’s the list of vendors for next Tuesday July 25. Click on the image for a larger size. Northumberland Hills Farm is back with its first crop of sweet corn and Warner Farm has fresh peaches.
Stop by the donation table and make a gift for Mothers of Peace. It’s a food drive for families in Regent Park.
The Underpass Park Farmers Market
Corktown’s Farmers’ Market (29 Lower River) is open every Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Check out the Facebook page for the list of this week’s vendors.
CABBAGETOWN FESTIVAL TEMPTING TIDBITS
Art and Crafts in Riverdale Park West
The big art show is a major part of the Festival weekend. This year, they’ve signed up 165 artists and artisans. The list is available on the website. For the first time, vendors will be assigned spaces before the event so everyone will be able to find a favourite when the show opens. Friday September 8, 1 – 6pm. Saturday September 9, 10 am – 6 pm. Sunday September 10, 10 am – 5pm.
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival
A favourite event to start the Festival weekend - the gala screening will take place on Wednesday September 6 in the Winchester Street Theatre (80 Winchester) and then it’ll be streamed across Canada from September 7 to 9. New this year - Smartphone Films are being accepted.
Blair’s Run
The “classic” Blair’s Run is back - a 2 km dash through Cabbagetown. Register yourself or join a team. If you don’t see a team near you, then get some friends together and form your own. Registration is $25. The “classic” happens on Sunday September 10, rain or shine, from 8 am. The “freestyle” is also happening. Get some friends and do your favourite thing - a bike ride, a walk through local sites, or a nifty run along the Don - at your own time between September 1 to 17. More info and registration online here.
IN THE MEDIA
Moss Park Photo Story Program
Sara Jabakhanji has written a story for CBC News about 15 youth who photographed Moss Park over the past year. She introduces them and explains how they became involved. (Photo: Brian Gregory, CBC News)
Regent Park transformation
Tracy Hanes did a story for the Toronto Star about the changes that have happened in Regent Park over its revitalization. It’s a comprehensive overview of the work that’s been done and the impact of the change. (Photo: Lance McMillan, Toronto Star)
OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVALS
Outdoor Picture Show in Corktown Common
Every Thursday evening at sundown until August 10. On July 20, it’s The Matrix and next week, it’s Amelie. Each evening, the feature will be paired with excellent Canadian shorts. Treats and eats start at 7 pm. Free. Corktown Common (Bayview and Mill, 155 Bayview).
The LaVazza IncluCity Festival
The Distillery’s celebration of multiculturalism and modern cinema with feature films from 20 countries. It finishes on Friday July 21. Check out the film schedule and get info about ticket sales and packages - online here.
COMING EVENTS
Being Black on King
Heritage Toronto is organizing a walk along King starting at Inglenook School (19 Sackville) to highlight places where Black people lived and where community leaders made an impact. $9.85, Saturday July 22, 3 pm. For more info and for tickets, click here.
Indigenous art and nature
A Heritage Toronto tour starting at 169 Gerrard and going to Allan Gardens. An Indigenous historian will discuss native plants and explore the intersection between nature, traditional practices and contemporary art. $9.85, Sunday July 23, 3 pm. For info and tickets, click here.
Roaming performers
Every Thursday through Sunday to September 8, roaming performers will wander along Parliament Street to entertain shoppers and patio dwellers. It starts this week with David Caten on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. Drew Chale performs on Friday from 6:00 to 9 pm. Benny Sanders on Friday from 6 to 9 pm and Ethan Young on Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm.
Storytelling in Allan Gardens
The Children’s Book Bank holds regular storytelling days in the park. The next one happens on Saturday July 22 at 11 am. Free books for every child. Meet in the playground on the west side of the park. (Jarvis and Carlton).
Sounds Like a Park
Friends of Allan Garden are sponsoring outdoor concerts in the west side of the park (Jarvis and Carlton) from 5:30 to 8 pm on Thursday evenings in July. On July 20, it’s Counterpoint & Friends and on July 27, Thyron Lee Whyte & Band. Bring your own blanket or chair. Free.
Cultural Bazaar
Live music, raffles, henna, multicultural food, artisanal products, homemade clothing and lots more. Every Friday afternoon to October 13, 4 to 9 pm. 660 Dundas E.
FOR YOUR BODY
Parliament Street Fitness
A chiropractor has joined the staff at Parliament Street Fitness (488 Parliament). Dr Austin Broadhurst “is a skilled chiropractor and exercise specialist with a passion for helping patients achieve their health and wellness goals. Using a combination of chiropractic techniques, soft tissue therapy, and exercise prescription, including instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques such as Graston and Connect X, he helps patients improve their mobility, function and overall wellness.” For more info and for appointments, contact Parliament Street Fitness at (416) 901-5421.PSF offers both personal fitness opportunities and weekly organized classes. Their class schedules for the week of July 24 are listed here, fresh from their blackboard in the gym. Weekly updates will be posted every Monday. Click on the picture for a bigger image.
Outdoor yoga in Trinity Square
Every Sunday from 9 to 10 am in Trinity Square at the Distillery. Hosted by Pure Yoga Toronto.
Essentrics stretch & strength
Gina Dineen’s weekly Essentrics class will be a Zoom experience over the summer, every Tuesday and Thursday. To receive class updates, email Gina.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Longer hours at our pubs
Ontario’s Alcohol & Gaming Commission has changed the opening hours for bars, pubs and restaurants during FIFA’s Women’s World Cup soccer tournament. During this time, bars may open at 7 am - the closing time remains the same at 2 am. Canada’s first game is against Nigeria at 10:30 pm on Thursday, within normal opening hours. So far, only The Aviary (484 Front East) has a plan to open for the game against Ireland at 8 am on Wednesday July 26. Others will be reviewing the opportunity and deciding whether to join. The championship game starts at 6 am on August 20.
Summerlicious final days
Toronto’s annual summer restaurant festival finishes Sunday July 23. Five restaurants in our immediate neighbourhood have joined - Butter Chicken Factory (560 Parliament), F’Amelia (12 Amelia), The Blake House (449 Jarvis), Maison Selby (592 Sherbourne) and Mengrai Thai (82 Ontario). Participating restaurants offer three-course prix fixe menus. Prices range from $20 to $55 at lunch and $25 to $75 for dinner. Reservations are open now. The list of all 200 restaurants with their menus and contact info is online here.
Erin’s fundraiser
Erin from Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton) has been supporting food banks with her GoFundMe campaigns. She’s set up a new campaign helping the Native Women’s Resource Centre. They need women’s personal items and baby products. Click on the image to see the remarkable success of her efforts so far. Your support will help her to continue with her drives - click here.
Cyril’s soup
Cyril’s making another exotic juice, orange, mango and passion fruit - sweet and delicious. $9.50/two cups. His soup is a summer classic - corn and jalapeño chowder with carrots, potatoes and red peppers. He’ll use half and half unless you specify coconut milk. 3 to 9 cups at $3.50/each and 10 or more at $3/each. For deliveries on Saturday July 29. Send him an email with your order.
WEEKLY CALENDAR - CLUBS & PUBS
THURSDAY JULY 20 TO SUNDAY JULY 30
For contact info about these clubs and restaurants, see the list at the bottom of this page.
THURSDAY JULY 20
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
6 to 8 pm, David Caten (Metal Health)
The Aviary
8 pm, Cheese & beer night
FRIDAY JULY 21
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
6 pm to 9 pm, Drew Chale
Distillery Jazz in Trinity Square
3:30 pm, Serafin
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, 4 to 8 pm.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY JULY 22
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
11 am to 3 pm, Benny Sanders (H To Oh. Two!)
Distillery Jazz in Trinity Square
Noon, Soul Jazz Express
3:30 pm, Chick ’n Waffles
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
SUNDAY JULY 23
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
11 am to 1 pm, Ethan Young
Distillery Jazz in Trinity Square
Noon, Laura Hubert
3:30 pm, Sean Bellaviti Latin Quartet
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
Distillery
9 am, Yoga in Trinity Square
The Aviary
2:30 pm, Tie dying workshop and guided tour
Super Bargain
3 pm to 2 am, Sunday Funday
MONDAY JULY 24
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
TUESDAY JULY 25
Golden Pigeon
4 pm, $2 oysters
7 pm, live jazz
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, Headscratchers Trivia
WEDNESDAY JULY 26
The Vibrational Apothecary
7:30 pm, traditional West African drumming classes with Amadou Kienou
Stout Irish Pub
7 pm, euchre night
The Golden Pigeon
8 pm, Bar trivia with Rachelle Lauzon
THURSDAY JULY 27
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
3 pm
FRIDAY JULY 28
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
3 pm
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, 4 to 8 pm.
Alice’s Place
9 pm, Karaoke
Super Bargain
10 pm, DJ Shamz
Wing House
9 pm, Karaoke
SATURDAY JULY 29
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
11 am to 1 pm.
Distillery Jazz in Trinity Square
Noon, Ori Dagan
3:30 pm, Rider Raiders
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
SUNDAY JULY 30
Cabbagetown Roaming Performers
11 am to 1 pm.
Distillery Jazz in Trinity Square
Noon, Alexis Baro Latin Jazz
3:30 pm, JB & To’sta Rico
Distlllery buskers
Summer Busker series, noon to 8 pm.
Distillery
9 am, Yoga in Trinity Square
Super Bargain
3 pm to 2 am, Sunday Funday with DJ Shamz
CONTACT INFO
Alice’s Place - 554 Parliament
Aviary - 484 Front East
The Vibrational Apothecary - 243 Gerrard E
Cranberries - 601 Parliament
Distillery - Mill Street and Parliament
Dominion - 500 Queen E - closed permanently
El Catrin - 18 Tank House Lane, Distillery
Golden Pigeon - 424 Parliament
House on Parliament - 454 Parliament
Keating Channel - 2 Villiers St
Mill Street Brew Pub - 21 Tank House Lane
NJ Lounge - 507 Parliament
Stout Irish Pub - 221 Carlton
Super Bargain - 441 Parliament
Wing House - 420 Parliament
